How do you feel about smoking in semi public places?

Question

Let me start by saying I'm a non smoker, so if I affend any of the smokers out there, I'm sorry. That's not my intention. I want to know how people feel about smoking/smokers in semi public areas. An example would be the mall. No one is allowed to smoke inside the mall, and I think that's a good thing.... but when you try to enter, or leave the mall, you have to make your way through a cloud of smoke/smokers. Am I the only one that is affended by this?

Here are some commercials about smoking. Take a look. They are sure to make you laugh, whether your a smoker or not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vec6SI6hG...
http://www.mybluecollar.com/videos/400e2...

Excellent point Miss Sunshine. I can't figure that one out either. Why do they bother even asking?!

Good point Chloe. My daughter has asthma, so I definitely understand your concern for the kids.

lanchancedjs, I am sorry to hear about that. My mother and step dad were heavy smokers also. When I was younger, I had several unexplained health issues...like nose bleed, severe allergies. (had to get allergie shots for 3 yrs., once every week.) I'm starting to think SOME of them may have been caused by the second hand smoke. Oh well, no use in crying over spilt milk. All I can do now is try and protect my daughters from having the same problems...

I understand your frustration Katie G. When I was preganant, the smell of cigarette smoke use to make me sick. And as I'm sure you already know, everything that goes into your body, goes into your baby's body. Why risk it, right?

That's a good idea Jack's smirking revenge. Why didn't I think of it?! LOL
I'll start with the mall and Wal Mart, and work my way up to the restraunts...

Answer 1

This answer is not going to be long. I don't think people should be able to smoke anywhere. I think smoking shoiuld be outlawed and made illegal.

You shouldn't not be exposed to second hand smoke. Neither should I or anyone we care about. Yes it's a free country, but your freedom ends when it affects the health of someone else. Plus it makes you smell nasty .... YUCK......

Answer 2

I'm an off and on smoker. When I'm off, I gag walking by that cloud and can smell it all day. When I'm on, I'm in the cloud, adding to it.

I see your point and agree. It would be nice if malls had designated outside areas that are NOT by entrances. Some do...and hospitals always do. It's a terrace or shack and nobody has to suck it in but the smokers.

I blame the mall for lack of a designated area. You'll never get people to stop doing it, so try complaining to malls to build a place and ban smoking from entrances.

Answer 3

I'm not a smoker, but my Dad was a two pack a day type. When I was a toddler he told me he smoked because he had to, and that he would rather I not do it. That's all he ever said about it. He died at 84.

As a result of second hand smoke I no longer have a sense of smell during to the endless sinus infections that resulted from being exposed to smoke. Smoke is a major irritant and causes the nasal membranes to excrete and block the irritant. If there is a bacteria in there it has a wonderful place to live.

I essentially slept through high school because I was always sick, and spent decades with a "runny nose." My Doctor had to put me on an IV drip once to inject antibiotics because pills weren't working. The infections ended when they found out that all of my sinuses were completely packed with polyps due to the infections. These were removed by surgery.

If you break wind in a public place, people feel that you should apologize because it's considered offensive. Why should someone be allowed to expose people to something that is known to be dangerous? I realize that nicotine is extremely addictive and that most smokers would quit if they could, but that doesn't mean I should have to tolerate the damage they cause to others.

Answer 4

I don't like people soaked in colognes and perfumes. Some of them smell absolutely nasty. It nauseates me and irritates MY sinuses. Should they be banned from public and semi public places? No. I am offended by how some people dress. Should they also be banned? No. I am really offended by people who reek of alcohol and drinking in public. Should they be banned? No.

My point is, if smokers are smoking outside, in the open, sometimes in nasty weather because people discriminate and no one thinks to put up a shelter for them, quite complaining. I, too, am tired of self righteous people and the government try to tell people how to live and what to to.

Smokers pay their taxes and spend the same amounts of money in malls and in restaurants...etc...and should have the right to smoke outside without being hassled. If non smokers have a problem with people smoking outside, move away. Smokers have already been singled out. Enough is enough.

Answer 5

I'm a smoker and hate walking through the cloud to enter a building. Those who stand by the door are not thinking of other people, only themselves. I do not smoke "by a door", but will stand off to the side away from it. I even hate it when I go into a restaurant that still allows smoking, if I can wait until I'm done eating then so can they

Answer 6

I'm a smoker and no law will stop me smoking. I respect the fact that you don't want me to smoke in your home or your restaurant, but I draw the line on public streets. I don't like the fact that your car pollutes my air, are you going to stop driving? I will quit smoking when I wish, not when someone tells me. Yes this is a touchy subject with me. Laws may try to make it hard for smokers but prohibition didn't work for alcohol and it will not work for tobacco. Enough is enough.

Answer 7

I too am a nonsmoker. I find it bothersome to have to breathe in the smell of smoke when I am entering a mall and people are outside smoking or even in restaurants were one side is for smokers. I mean I never figured that one out. If one side of the restaurant is for smokers and the other side is for nonsmokers - is the smoke not going to circulate in the air? Come on. Restaurants should be smoke free - I don't want to taste cigarettes while eating my food.

Answer 8

I really do not like smoking either. My boyfriend smoked but now I made him realize how stupid it is and he is quiting. I think the only place people should be able to smoke is in a bar or areas like that, but the mall or areas where kids are, it should be non smoking. I and anyone else who is a non smoker does not want to get lung cancer or anything like that from some idiot who cannot wait to smoke it up.

Answer 9

I am a smoker and I have no issues about smoking being banned in public places..such as the mall or even the entrance to it. I choose to harm my body and I know you'd like the choice to protect yours. But I don't think that the government should have the right to tell me I cannot smoke in my own car, or my own home, ect.

Answer 10

I'm pregnant and I think its wildly inconsiderate when people light up around me, even when we're outdoors in public. I have to get up and move so I don't subject my child to their smoke.
I was tailgating with my husband and our friends, and one of their single friends came over and sat next to me and lit up a cigarette. HELLO? Go somewhere else and light up, seriously! I know we're outdoors, but have some consideration.